Zermatt to Verbier Alpine Hike Challenge

21st-25th March 2022

We were recently involved in a very exciting fundraiser in partnership with the Intensive Care Society, from 21st-25th March 2022. An alpine hike and ski challenge from Zermatt to Verbier for 6 amazing participants, which raised over £50,000 to be split between the two charities to help support NHS workers.

The event, which saw participants working together to take on the famous ‘Patrouille des Glaciers Route’, whilst attempting to ski some of the 4,000m peaks, was conceived by Gary and Debbie Pittaway, whose daughter Harriet is a Junior Doctor on the ICU team at the Royal Free Hospital, London.

Thank you so much to all that donated! Donations are now closed, you can find more information and updates on the Facebook page here.

The Challenge…

The Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) is a historic national and international ski mountaineering race organised by the Swiss army. Considered to be one of the toughest courses in the world, the PDG covers a 57.5 km route at altitudes of up to 3,650 metres between Zermatt to Verbier.

The course is described as one of the toughest of its kind in the world and for good reason. Over the five days the team will face the risk of avalanches, the hazards of glacier crossing, freezing temperatures and altitude sickness.

It will be as much as a mental challenge as a physical one.

The team – Gary, Sarah, David, Sarah, Mike and Nick will be taking on the challenge with an aim to raise over £30,000 for Doctors in Distress and the Intensive Care Society, so we can continue to support all UK healthcare workers.

The event was conceived by Gary and Debbie Pittaway, whose daughter Harriet is a junior doctor in ICU in London, after they saw first-hand the effect the pandemic had on Harriet and her colleagues. Gary will also be taking on the challenge himself.’

Meet The Team